Nine of us set of from the Anvil: Debbie, Nick, Brendan, Hackness Mike, Lorraine, Lizzie, Richard, me, and I think Jim (has a white Orange Five). It was really mild out tonight up at Wycombe. Despite that, we did come across snow and ice. Hackness Mike was on point and found the slippiest bit - with a bang. The singletrack was muddy but mostly clear. It was the fireroads that were, in places, a bit dicey.

You could tell it was shortly after Christmas. At least two new bikes out: Mike's Lapierre Zesty (with its special non-ice, non-mud tyres ) and Lorraine's even shinier Specialized. An Epic, I think. She christened it with early on with a muddy tumble. 

As there were only nine of us, we all rode in one group at a steady pace. It was very muddy where the snow had gone. Brendan, Nick and Richard all had Trailrakers, I think, which was the right idea. Hackness Mike, me, and Lorraine were skating around on summer tyres. (My mud tyres are on my youngest son's 29er.)

The main feature of the ride was the forestry work that we did en route. Lots of trees had come down after the snow, blocking trails here, there and everywhere. We cleared some of them but could have done with a chainsaw or a logging axe. Anyone got a multi-tool with one of those on? Topeak McGuyver-plus, maybe?

It was just great to be back out and I for one was thankfull for the frequent stops for a bit of tree clearing.